A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Birmingham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a historic, charming, and quaint university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Saint Andrews and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham. Although Saint Andrews and Birmingham are popular destinations, Birmingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Birmingham is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Andrews attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square.

How is Saint Andrews different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Birmingham and Saint Andrews. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Saint Andrews or Birmingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Andrews. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its evening party scene.

Birmingham offers plenty to do in the evening. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for its live music scene. However, Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Birmingham The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saint Andrews to enjoy the beach. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is very good for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Both Saint Andrews and Birmingham are excellent shopping destinations.

Saint Andrews is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly university town. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Birmingham are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Birmingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Students?

Saint Andrews and Birmingham are both terrific destinations for students and younger travelers.

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Birmingham is a very popular university town for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Saint Andrews and Birmingham offer nice public transit options.

Saint Andrews has a few public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Birmingham has some public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Saint Andrews or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Andrews Worth Visiting? and Is Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

In either Saint Andrews or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Saint Andrews because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Saint Andrews. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Birmingham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Birmingham than Saint Andrews. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Birmingham that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Birmingham than Saint Andrews if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Birmingham.

One day in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Andrews, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Saint Andrews, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Saint Andrews is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the city of Birmingham. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, and The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Andrews and Birmingham, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Birmingham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Birmingham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Birmingham and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews than you might in Birmingham.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Andrews Expensive? and Is Birmingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Birmingham, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Birmingham. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in July than Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Saint Andrews during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Birmingham. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Saint Andrews